Home Design

I love serendipitous events that add to my thoughts on an interior decorating topic.  I recently experienced this  as I was preparing to write about neutral colour schemes.  Just like a gift  La Dolce Vita, one of my favourite blogs, appeared  in my inbox with the perfect visuals to support  several of the points I wanted to make.  Paloma always finds the best spaces to present to readers! Check out her blog, you won't be sorry.

 Making a neutral scheme work requires skill.  Once you  remove colour from the equation you have to make the most of the  other elements of design especially: pattern, texture, value/contrast and form.  Of course the principles of design remain in tact. Every successful space  has  good balance, harmony, emphasis, scale/proportion and rhythm.

Sounds great, but what does that look like in a space?

Check out all takes of this  living room  by Bill Ingram & William McLure of Bill Ingram Architect.

 Quiz time:  Jot down what  you think makes  the space  work.  If you are used to colour being your main decor element you might need to shift gears for a moment to see the beauty in neutral schemes.








Contrast

The first element that jumps out at me is contrast.  You cannot have a successful room without good contrast, even when you have lots of colour.   It's the same way in art.   I wrote about this  topic in depth here.  You get contrast by manipulating your values from light to dark.  This space goes from black to white and has every conceivable value in between.

Texture

This space also gets an A+ for texture.  Not everyone can have the stone work evident in this space but you might have a stone  or brick fireplace   Check out the wood stacked in the open hearth, the tree stump table and the rough wood planters.   A variety of textiles are used from the subtly textured obviously wool carpet to the white smooth fabric on the drapery and chair.  The knit pillows are perfect by the stone,  nothing like the garter stitch for obvious texture. But the coffee table is the show stopper with its reflective high gloss.  Don't miss the folded fur throw on the chair.   There is also subtle texture on the frame of the gold chair, the doors of the armoire and the statue.

Pattern

Geometric motifs predominate with diamonds, stripes  and circles repeated around the room.

Form

This can be a hard one if you like everything matched in furniture style.  I think use of a variety of forms make this space.

My own element that every space needs -- organic elements 

Imagine this space without the two fig trees.  I rest my case.  You need organic references in every space and this one has it in spades.

Only one thing

If I could change one thing about this space it would be the scale of the artwork between the windows.  Love the art work, but it needs a little breathing space around the edges.  Too much competition with the grids in the window. Sorry, it's the artist in me.  On the other hand I love the large scale fig trees and they might account for the scale of the art!

True, this space might not be your cup of tea, but it is interesting; it invites the eye to move around and to touch the various elements in the space.

Now it's your turn...
What are your thoughts on this space?  Could you live here?

Details in decor can make or break a design especially when you have a more minimal look (not a lot of stuff around).  You need something interesting  to draw the eye and provide a  momentary resting place.  It might be a texture, a beautifully shaped stool, or an embellishment.  A space without details is immensely boring and who wants a boring home?   Here are simple ways to add some pizazz to your space. Each  space will have a different starting point.

 

1. Use art  to create a vignette

Eye catching art anchors design

Choose eye catching art and use it to create a vignette.  In this space the yellow chair creates a visual flow from the artwork and it is anchored by the stripes in the rug. Books provide a casual look but other items could be added to the bench to continue the tone set by the art.

   2. Add pattern and texture

Greek key detailing adds interest

The addition of pattern to any space instantly makes it more interesting .  Also consider using texture for a quiet way to add additional interest.

 3. Bring the outside in

Add outside materials inside

 Who wouldn't notice the natural wood element in this stool in a hard edged bathroom.  The repetition of natural shapes from outside to inside woks so well to move the eye to the welcoming outside view.

4. Layer furniture and accessories

Patttern and colour with accessories create a complex focal point

 Some focal points are large and a room is created around them.  Other times a secondary focal point can be introduced in a quiet corner of a space. This solution works when there are several seating areas in one space. Layering furniture and accessories is one way to create interest.

5. Choose spectacular lighting

Spectacular Tom Dixon lighting

 Who could ignore the variety of shapes in these black pendants  that anchor the dining space in an open concept home? There are all kinds of lighting choices to adorn your space.  Find the one that is right for you.

6.  Use geometry

Black and white is always eye catching

When you combine several geometric shapes in one vignette, it can create a powerful focus.  When you add high contrast it is difficult to ignore.  Pop some gold into the combination and you have to look - more than once!

 7. Use common items in unique ways

A simple starfish repeated many times

Take one starfish and it has an interesting shape.  Repeat that shape many times by overlapping and you have a sculpture that begs to be looked at and touched.

8. Use pops of  warm colours

Red is an eye catcher

If you want instant attention choose red, yellow or orange as an accent.  Warm colours beg to be noticed by advancing visually in your space.

Now that was easy.  If you have a space you aren't pleased with perhaps one of these suggestions might help to create more visual interest. Do you have favourite ways to create interest in your home?

There is something so soothing about a monochromatic colour scheme.  I have friends who would say boring not soothing. but to each his own.  It might seem easy to have a room is varying tones of one hue but not so.  It's even more difficult to design a white room to look interesting.  The trick is to emphasize shape and texture through repetition above all else. Don't forget that there are hundreds of whites with varying undertones and temperatures.

Why does this room work?

•  white shows up all the textures and lines in the room;
• the small mirrors arranged in a grid add a strong repetitive element and each looks like a small painting because of the reflections from outside (I'm assuming); that adds optical texture;
• the walls are horizontal boards which play against the square mirrors;
• apart from the texture of the white boards, the horizontal lines are soothing and are repeated in the cabinet below: 
• the arrangement has various shapes( cones, spheres, stars) and surfaces (reflective, matt, rough, smooth);
• shiny surfaces add an unknown quality because you never know what will be reflected;
• the whites are on the warmer side and a little "dirty" which doesn't look stark.

Here are several other white rooms.  Do you think they are successful? What do they have in common with the room above?

• blond woods are my favourite and have always been since I was in my twenties- no ebony or mahogony for me. I like my wood to integrate with the other elements in a room, not stand out. I like to use wood for its texture, not colour.
• clean lines allow your eyes to move over an object and  on to something else.They create visual flow in a room which works to create a  relaxing atmosphere.  Boxy is better in my view because these lines seem to fit/follow the envelope of a room .  Rectangular shapes can be softened by  accessories and softer textiles.
• sculptural shapes  are added in the lamp, vases, boxes  and rock like structures in front of the window. There are other shapes hiding. Have a closer look. The selection of these accessories were not done in haste because they play perfectly with each other. This room depends on sculpture as an art form.  Notice there are no two dimensional art pieces on the walls. 
• variety in  textiles (pattern, texture) is a must to support a mainly monochromatic room. The play of the striped rug  against the furry one  is wonderful. 
• the absence of jarring colour makes this room a calm retreat.  It is a room I could spend many hours in and still find it interesting because of the texture and shapes.  Less is always more in colour. 
• bringing the outdoors in by minimizing window treatments and utilizing the glimpses of nature as art.

What about this room in comparison?


It has many of the characteristics noted above but a much darker palette.  Texture and sculptural forms are dominant.

 Colour is the most obvious element in interior design because of its boldness or starkenss. Homeowners constantly update their rooms with colour changes, but what about all the other design elements?  For example, have you given your room a texture update lately? Texture is simply using a variety of  finishes in a room and it is easily improved by varying the composition of products in a room, e.g., glass,  woods, metal, plastic, cotton, velvet, lacquer, leather, ceramic. etc. Stop and look around you. How many different materials have you used in your room? What's your room's texture quotient? 

  Texture is the element that gets constantly overlooked  because its effects are subtle. It's one of those things that you take for granted when it is done well, but it's difficult to identify if it isn't , You just know the room looks boring, but you're not sure why. Layering textures gives a room interest and depth.

Jessica Helgerson  a Portland, Oregon  designer, is a master of texture. Many of her designs, typically clean and uncluttered,  rely on the richness of textures for visual interest. 



This mid-century modern split level ranch house takes on a new life under her skillful direction. The overall feeling is restful and outdoorsy. Furniture choices reflect the style of the home. The vintage finds were reupholstered  in light fabrics of varying textures. The coffee table made from salvaged maple is the center piece of the room. Its irregular edges and smooth surface plays well with  the Portuguese eel traps hanging over the fireplace mantel . Glass is prominent in the French demijohn bottles and ceramic Chinese garden stools are tucked into the room.  The woven area rug stands out against the smooth ebony floors.



At the end of the living room, the dining area continues the themes already established. You get a clearer view of the ceramic Chinese stool and the raised texture on the pillows.  The leather chairs work well against the high gloss wood table.  Plants, vegetables and wicker all work to enhance the  this welcoming room.  Metal chair legs show up well against the ebony floors. Glass and ceramic are evident in this room too. One of the musts in texture usage is to play matte and gloss surfaces off each other with one being more dominant -usually matte. The textures and colours of the outside also play an important role in this room's success.


Continuing with the white and green theme, this high contrast  bathroom has a lot of texture punch for a small space, Wood, metal, marble, ceramic, glass,  paper, and fabric are blended seamlessly to produce a room that wows.

And now a little quiz... how many textures are combined to produce this stunning master suite?